Stuart McNish - Podcast Details

Shows

Hey, Downtown Van!Stuart McNish: A Conversation That MattersJoin host Sofia Laratta for an insightful conversation with Downtown Van President and CEO, Jane Talbot, and special guest Stuart McNish — acclaimed journalist and host of Conversations That Matter. Tune in as they delve into the world of journalism, exploring what it takes to succeed in the field, and revealing Stuart’s dream interview guests.2025-05-2147 min

Conversations That MatterEp 517 - A crisis of indecision in Canada Guest: Gavin DewEp 517 - A crisis of indecision in Canada Guest: Gavin Dew By Stuart McNish On June 26th, Gavin Dew posted disappointing news on his LinkedIn profile. After four years of planning, fundraising, and negotiation with the City of Abbotsford, the Tech District project was pulling the plug. Dew says, “We couldn’t keep spending time and money without a clear signal from city council that this $5-billion private sector investment would be approved.” Dew said, “I know a lot of people are disappointed. I’m proud of the...2024-10-1326 min

Conversations That MatterEp - 516 - Weaving Two Worlds Guests: Christy Smith - Michael McPhieEp - 516 - Weaving Two Worlds Guests: Christy Smith - Michael McPhie By Stuart McNish “The key to the Canadian economy is in the hands of First Nations,” says Christy Smith and Michael McPhie in their book, “Weaving Two Worlds,” a guide to economic reconciliation. According to Smith, “The intent of the book is to help First Nations, governments, and companies work together in the development of natural resources.” McPhie says, “We believe the resource sector and the people within it have a meaningful role to play in advanc...2024-10-1330 min

Conversations That MatterEp 515 - Electronic Recycling Done Right Mohammad DoostmohammadiEp 515 - Electronic Recycling Done Right Mohammad Doostmohammadi By Stuart McNish “There are six elements that play a key role in optimizing fuel and chemical production,” says Mohammad Doostmohammdi of pH7. “Without them, green hydrogen, low-carbon steel, biofuels and other climate technologies are not possible.” Those six elements are platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium – and they are among the rarest on earth. While challenging to identify ore bodies with mineable resources, there is an emerging opportunity in recovery. “There are 17.4 million troy ounces of these element...2024-09-1223 min

Conversations That MatterEp 514 - Real Estate Lessons from Singapore Guest: Ernst LangEp 514 - Real Estate Lessons from Singapore Guest: Ernst Lang By Stuart McNish “We can learn a few things from Singapore,” says Ernst Lang, the founder and CEO of Promerita Group. “Singapore has been getting housing right for many decades. In fact, it has found a way to make most of its housing affordable whilst also protecting the value of privately owned homes.” According to a report by the Urban Land Institute, “private homes in Singapore are the most expensive in Asia” with an average value of $1.7 m...2024-09-1225 min

Conversations That MatterEp 513 - British Columbia’s Lacklustre Prosperity Guest: David WilliamsEp 513 - British Columbia’s Lacklustre Prosperity Guest: David Williams By Stuart McNish According to the 2024 British Columbia Prosperity Index, “BC places 11th out of 21 peer jurisdictions for overall prosperity.” The study was developed with the Centre for the Study of Living Standards, which compares BC’s performance on a range of economic, business, social and environmental indicators. David Williams says, “There is no medal for 11th place and for good reason. This matters for young families and people aspiring to build a future in this province...2024-09-1225 min

Conversations That MatterEp 512 - To the Edge of Death and Back Guest: Paul DraganJuly 12, 2024 Ep 512 - To the Edge of Death and Back Guest: Paul Dragan By Stuart McNish Ten years ago on June 10, 2014, Paul Dragan sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee across the street from his business, Reckless Bikes. He took a sip and as he looked up, a heavyset man wearing a bicycle helmet came around the corner, pulled out a gun and shot Paul in the chest. He landed on the ground, blood pouring out of his chest. “Were it not for a seri...2024-09-1223 min

Conversations That MatterEp 511 - Drug Free Kids Guest: Chantal VallerandEp 511 - Drug Free Kids Guest: Chantal Vallerand By Stuart McNish On Dec 8th, 2022, Jennifer Whiteside was appointed Minister for Mental Health and Addictions. At the time she said, “The Premier has asked me to prioritize accelerating BC’s response to the illicit drug toxicity crisis. The Premier has also asked me to expand new complex care, treatment, recovery, detox and after-care facilities across the province.” Months later, the BC Centre for Disease Control released its report showing that in 2022, overdoses from opioids and illicit drugs wer...2024-07-0823 min

Conversations That MatterEp 510 - Post-Pandemic Leadership Guest: Ron BremnerEp 510 - Post-Pandemic Leadership Guest: Ron Bremner By Stuart McNish COVID-19 disrupted supply lines and our lives. Now that the lockdowns are over, the lingering impact of the dramatic shifts in the workplace remain. During the pandemic, work from home became the rule. Many employees seized the opportunity and not only thrived, but they moved away – far away, so far that coming into the office became a remote possibility. “The work from home practice was needed during the pandemic; now it poses a new challenge,” says exec...2024-07-0826 min

Conversations That MatterEp 509 - Meet the BC Conservative Leader Guest: John RustadEp 509 - Meet the BC Conservative Leader Guest: John Rustad By Stuart McNish It’s been two years since John Rustad parted ways with the BC United Party over differences about climate change science. Regarding the reason for his removal from the party, Kevin Falcon is quoted as saying, “Climate change is one of the most critical threats facing our future.” And he added that Rustad “does not speak on behalf of [the] caucus on this issue.” Six months later, John Rustad took over the leadership of...2024-07-0826 min

Conversations That MatterEp 508 - Generously Giving Guest: Megan Owen-EvansEp 508 - Generously Giving Guest: Megan Owen-Evans By Stuart McNish In the book “Why Good Things Happen to Good People,” Stephen Post writes that “giving to others” has been shown to increase health benefits. A separate study by Michael Norton from Harvard Business School revealed that “people are happier when they spend money on others versus themselves.” Megan Owen-Evans went far beyond the giving of money – she donated a kidney and part of her liver to two different anonymous recipients. “Donating a kidney or a part of your liver is...2024-07-0825 min

Conversations That MatterEp 507 - A Bleak Market for EVs Guest: Adam PankratzEp 507 - A Bleak Market for EVs Guest: Adam Pankratz By Stuart McNish “Little did we know how fast the free market would slap the electric vehicle mandate back to reality, while Canadian taxpayers continue to subsidize green fantasies,” says Adam Pankratz, a lecturer at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business. The “slap” is in reference to plummeting sales of electric vehicles in North America. Pankratz says, “The signs emerged in September 2023 when Volkswagen announced it was ‘cutting EV output’ due to low demand and i...2024-06-1226 min

Conversations That MatterEp 506 - Will AI produce a state of Deep Utopia? Guest: Nick BostromEp 506 - Will AI produce a state of Deep Utopia? Guest: Nick Bostrom By Stuart McNish In his new book “Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World,” philosopher Nick Bostrom ponders what life could be like in a “solved world” – a world where everything works and works better than if human hands got in the way. “What then?” asks Bostrom, is the reason to work? “Is it to earn extra income or because working is an intrinsically valued activity?” Bostrom is the head of the Future of Human...2024-06-1226 min

Conversations That MatterEp 505 - Has the Floatel Sunk? Guest: Christine KennedyEp 505 - Has the Floatel Sunk? Guest: Christine Kennedy By Stuart McNish The District of Squamish denied Woodfibre LNG’s application for a temporary use permit for its Bridgemans “floatel,” citing concerns over safety, environmental, and community impacts. Council also cited a lack of information from the company as its reasons for saying no to the refurbished cruise ship that is intended to act as a floating workforce accommodation. “[It’s] hard to comprehend,” said Christine Kennedy, the President of Woodfibre LNG. “The District has asked repeatedly...2024-06-1224 min

Conversations That MatterEp 504 - Vancouver: Beautiful, yes – but! Guest: Bridgitte AndersonEp 504 - Vancouver: Beautiful, yes – but! Guest: Bridgitte Anderson By Stuart McNish No doubt about it: Vancouver is beautiful. It’s beautiful to visit, it’s a beautiful place to study, and it’s a beautiful city to retire in. “But,” says Bridgitte Anderson, the CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, “it’s not so beautiful of a place to build a robust economy.” In fact, according to a new report commissioned by GVBOT, “the region’s economic size and mix under-performs when it comes to creating high-paid jobs or high-p...2024-05-1824 min

Conversations That MatterEp 503 - Canada’s Sagging Productivity Guest: Jock FinlaysonEp 503 - Canada’s Sagging Productivity Guest: Jock Finlayson By Stuart McNish On March 26th, 2024, the Bank of Canada issued a report titled “Time to Break the Glass: Fixing Canada’s Productivity Problem.” Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers said at a speech in Halifax, “Productivity is a way to inoculate the economy against inflation.” The question ahead is, why has Canadian productivity sagged and how can it be turned around? Jock Finlayson, the Chief Economist at the Independent Contractors of BC, says, “Canada needs to reorient policy t...2024-05-1824 min

Conversations That MatterEp 502 - Is Peace Possible in Gaza? Gidi GrinsteinEp 502 - Is Peace Possible in Gaza? Gidi Grinstein By Stuart McNish At the time of the recording of this interview, the war in Gaza raged on. Since Oct 7, when more than 1139 Israelis had been killed and another 240 taken hostage, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas. The atrocities of that day also severely challenged Israeli’s sense of compassion for Palestinians. In Palestine, the death toll is horrifying – more than 30,000 Palestinians are believed to have died and another 72,000 have been injured. The war and...2024-05-1829 min

Conversations That MatterEp 498 - How Canada Saved Me Guest - Sasha LuchkovEp 498 - How Canada Saved Me Guest - Sasha Luchkov By Stuart McNish On February 24th, 2022, in the dark of the night in Mukachevo, Ukraine, Sasha Luchkov woke to the news that his country was under attack. Sasha, a piano protege at the age of 17, was already an accomplished pianist. He had recently placed second in the Scherzo International piano competition, where he performed Beethoven’s Sonata #17. Luchkov also performed at the Horowitz International piano competition and the Perugia MusicFest. When the war intensified, Luchkov says...2024-04-0923 min

Conversations That MatterEp 497 - Climate Action: The Net Zero Economy Guest - John StackhouseEp 497 - Climate Action: The Net Zero Economy Guest - John Stackhouse By Stuart McNish “Population and economic growth spell a demand for much more energy,” states the opening paragraph of RBC’s Climate Action Institute report. The Institute is honest in its assessment of the path forward to a Net Zero economy. The bank’s John Stackhouse says, “Climate pressures spell an imperative for a different mix of energy sources.” Looking forward, the global population is forecast to exceed 9 billion by approximately 2040. “Can the world population power itself int...2024-04-0926 min

Conversations That MatterEp 496 - Ballooning Public Service Guest - Renaud BrossardEp 496 - Ballooning Public Service Guest - Renaud Brossard By Stuart McNish According to the Montreal Economic Institute, Justin Trudeau ranks first among Canadian Prime Ministers over the past 40 years when it comes to the expansion in the size of the civil service. In a recent study, MEI notes that “over the past few decades, the number of employees in the federal public service has fluctuated somewhat under the mandate of successive governments under Justin Trudeau's current government. However, we are witnessing a truly unprocessed identity expansion.” Re...2024-04-0923 min

Conversations That MatterEp 495 - Child Sex Trafficking Guest - Cathy PetersEp 495 - Child Sex Trafficking Guest - Cathy Peters By Stuart McNish National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Canada is February 22nd. It was instituted as part of the government’s commitment to fighting human trafficking. The point was to “raise awareness of the magnitude of modern day slavery in Canada and abroad and to take steps to combat human trafficking.” In her book, “Child Sex Trafficking in Canada,” Cathy Peters says, “This book should never have been written. But here we are. Society and culture have co...2024-03-1924 min

Conversations That MatterEp 494 - Canada and China: What Happened? Guest - Dr Paul EvansEp 494 - Canada and China: What Happened? Guest - Dr Paul Evans By Stuart McNish In 1970, Canada led the Western world by recognizing China. According to Paul Evans in his book, “Engaging China,” the Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau “believed that many of the world’s major issues ‘will not be resolved completely or in any lasting way unless and until an accommodation has been reached with the Chinese nation.’” Over the course of the next 50 years, the Chinese economy and its clout grew from 1.7 percent...2024-03-1924 min

Conversations That MatterEp 493 - A Call to Purpose Guest - Mike RowlandsEp 493 - A Call to Purpose Guest - Mike Rowlands “Redefining success for the purpose economy,” Mike Rowlands says, “is to become a part of the rapidly growing movement toward social purpose in business. The social purpose focus creates healthier communities, restoration of our shared environment and better outcomes for companies’ staff, customers and other stakeholders.” Rowlands says the path to developing this framework “emerged from our work with the nonprofit sector – a sector that required new brand strategies that enriched and enhanced their organizations' messaging.” The next step on the path to a so...2024-03-1924 min

Conversations That MatterEp 492 - The Fountain of Youth Guest - Angela Brooks-WilsonEp 492 - The Fountain of Youth Guest - Angela Brooks-Wilson By Stuart McNish Researchers at Simon Fraser University and BC Cancer have pinpointed specific physiological traits that they say “can help people live longer, healthier lives.” According to a recent study published in GeroScience, the healthiest, older adults live in a “sweet spot,” where more than 100 different physiological traits interact, and that dynamic interaction makes them healthier than their counterparts. Key to living in the “sweet spot” is homeostasis, which is a collection of mechanisms that your body...2024-03-1925 min

Conversations That MatterEp 491 - The Claims of Life Guest - Diana Chapman WalshEp 491 - The Claims of Life Guest - Diana Chapman Walsh By Stuart McNish The Claims of Life, a new book by Diana Chapman Walsh, traces the emergence of a young woman who set out believing she wasn’t particularly smart but went on to meet multiple tests of leadership in the American academy – a place where everyone wants to be heard and no one wants a boss. The Claims of Life offers readers an unusually intimate view of a trustworthy leadership that begins and ends in...2024-03-1926 min

Conversations That MatterEp 49o - Addressing the Infrastructure Deficit Guest - Mark LiedemannEp 49o - Addressing the Infrastructure Deficit Guest - Mark Liedemann By Stuart McNish The backbone of any complex society is its infrastructure. It is the glue that binds communities, provinces and countries together. The concept of infrastructure was central to Rome’s dominance for 500 years. Cody Gregory writes, “One of the key aspects of Roman society and development was its unprecedented utilization of roads, sewers and aqueducts.” Here in British Columbia, it was the railway that brought us into Confederation and it was the developmen...2024-03-1925 min

Conversations That MatterEp 487 - The Greatest Gift of All Guest: Paul SitnamEp 487 - The Greatest Gift of All Guest: Paul Sitnam By Stuart McNish “Impact investing is an investment strategy that aims to generate specific beneficial social or environmental effects in addition to financial gains,” according to Investopedia. It is upheld as a societal good, but it does not include devoting your life to helping others. “The greatest gift of giving possible is your life’s work,” says Paul Sitnam. He is a living example having done just that for the past 40 years. Sitnam dedicated his life to international...2024-01-2825 min

Conversations That MatterEp 486 - Can First Nations Save Canada’s Economy? Guest: Chris SankeyEp 486 - Can First Nations Save Canada’s Economy? Guest: Chris Sankey By Stuart McNish “Canada’s per capita growth has been negative three out of the last four quarters,” says Perrin Beatty, the President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He adds, “Canada needs to do more to attract investment” – a sentiment that was recently shared by a panel of experts for “Conversations Live” about economic reconciliation. Haisla Chief Counselor Crystal Smith said, “First Nations hold the key to the country’s economic future.” It is a belief held b...2024-01-2824 min

Conversations That MatterEp 485 - The interconnectedness of all things Guest: Wade DavisEp 485 - The interconnectedness of all things Guest: Wade Davis By Stuart McNish The Roman emperor Markus Aurelius posited in his book “Meditations” that “all things are implicated with one another and the bond is holy.” At the time of his writing, it was a philosophical concept. Today it has been proven by science – genomics in particular. Wade Davis, the great Canadian thinker and anthropologist, in his talk at the Dr. Rix Distinguished Keynote address “The Wayfinders of Genomic Wisdom,” said that “studies of the human genome have left no doubt...2024-01-0723 min

Conversations That MatterEp 484 - How to Stop Stereotyping Seniors Guest: Rudy ButtignolEp 484 - How to Stop Stereotyping Seniors Guest: Rudy Buttignol By Stuart McNish More than 7 million people in Canada are older than 64 – that’s just shy of 20 percent of us. I’m one of those people. The issues that all seniors face include, but are not limited to, financial security, health care, and an end to ageism. Rudy Buttignol, the President of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), represents associations across the country advocating with all levels of government on behalf of 330,000 members. According to Buttignol, “The greatest obstacle to...2024-01-0724 min

Conversations That MatterEp 483 - Youthful Cities: Attracting and retaining a young population Guest: Robert BarnardEp 483 - Youthful Cities: Attracting and retaining a young population Guest: Robert Barnard By Stuart McNish How a city attracts young adults to live and work matters. Robert Barnard, the founder of Youthful Cities, says, “Young adults are vital today and into the future. Attracting young people is important. Equally [as] important is retention – that is, keeping their residents in the city.” On that account, Vancouver is good at attracting but not so good at retaining. This is a problem, says Barnard. “The vitality of a city is embodied...2024-01-0726 min

Conversations That MatterEp 482 - Save Our Streets Guest: Jess KetchumEp 482 - Save Our Streets Guest: Jess Ketchum By Stuart McNish At a press conference at the Woodwards development, the new Save Our Streets (SOS) public safety coalition said, “The growing crime, violence, vandalism and theft crisis is impacting local communities and businesses.” The costs associated with addressing security and safety, according to SOS spokesperson Jess Ketchum, are “jeopardizing the financial viability of many businesses and threatening their survival.” The compounding effects of the rising lawlessness, according to Ketchum, include but are not limited to “concerns for the safety of...2024-01-0723 min

Conversations That MatterEp 481 - CleanBC’s $28.1-Billion Price Tag Guest: Ken PeacockEp 481 - CleanBC’s $28.1-Billion Price Tag Guest: Ken Peacock By Stuart McNish The government of British Columbia is aiming to lower CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030. It’s a bold ambition – one that will reduce the BC economy by $28.1 billion, according to a model created by the CleanBC Roadmap. Ken Peacock, the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC)’s Chief Economist, examined the model and discovered the stunning numbers. Peacock says, “A $28.1-billion setback is significant.” After adding in emissions caps and a scheduled doubling of the carbon tax over...2023-12-0926 min

Conversations That MatterEp 480 - The Impact of Energy Poverty Guest: Jock FinlaysonEp 480 - The Impact of Energy Poverty Guest: Jock Finlayson By Stuart McNish Energy poverty, according to the Canadian Urban Sustainability Practitioners, refers to “the experience of households or communities that struggle to heat their homes and power their lights and appliances” – a reality that is playing itself out in the Maritime provinces of Canada, and it has forced the hand of the Prime Minister to offer financial relief. In his blog, “The Honest Broker,” Roger Pielke Jr. wrote of the “Iron Law of Climate Policy,” a law that demonstr...2023-12-0926 min

Conversations That MatterEp 479- Social Purpose: The New Business Mantra Guest: Drew CollierEp 479- Social Purpose: The New Business Mantra Guest: Drew Collier By Stuart McNish Social purpose is emerging as an important and necessary part of business. “What is social purpose?” you ask. Drew Collier, the President and CEO of LGM Financial Services says, “Social purpose is the reason to be in business. It is not just a nice-to-have policy. It is the company’s reason for being – its social ambition – and it is the path to profitability.” It is, in the words of Simon Sinek, “the ‘why we do what we do,’ versus the ‘wha...2023-12-0926 min

Conversations That MatterEp 478- What is Keto Diet? Guest: Dr. David HarperEp 478- What is Keto Diet? Guest: Dr. David Harper By Stuart McNish “For 30 years, I taught the wrong stuff to generations of students. I taught them that a low-fat high-carb diet was the way to eat to prevent chronic disease and I got it wrong,” says Dr. David Harper, the co-author of the “BioDiet: The Scientifically Proven, Ketogenic Way to Lose Weight and Improve Health.” Harper goes on to say, “We now have 20 years of scientific evidence that a well-formulated ketogenic diet reduces chronic disease.” Harper is focused on c...2023-12-0926 min

Conversations That MatterEp 477 - Canada: The World is a Hard Place Guest: John RapleyEp 477 - Canada: The World is a Hard Place Guest: John Rapley By Stuart McNish In the diplomatic spat between India and Canada, a rising India shows Canada that money is power, says John Rapley, a political economist at the University of Cambridge. He goes on to say that Canada is finding the world a hard place, and points out that it comes as a shock to Canada, namely because of its sense of itself. Canada has historically been dominant – one of the world's biggest economies, a found...2023-12-0929 min

Conversations That MatterEp 476 - Eat More - That’s the Message Guest: Dr Marion NestleEp 476 - Eat More - That’s the Message Guest: Dr Marion Nestle By Stuart McNish “We live in a food environment that encourages people to eat as much as possible,” says Dr. Marion Nestle. “Fighting those overwhelming messages and mustering up resistance is next to impossible!” The history of the “consume more” movement, says Nestle, “came about as a remedy to diseases of deficiency.” The message was so successful that Healthline now estimates that “42 percent of Americans are obese and two-thirds are overweight.” In her book, “Food Politics,” Dr. Nestle...2023-12-0926 min

Conversations That MatterEp 475 - Rent Control: A Blunt Tool Guest: David HutniakEp 475 - Rent Control: A Blunt Tool Guest: David Hutniak By Stuart McNish Housing affordability is a North American-wide issue. In the U.S., only seven states and Washington, D.C. have imposed rent controls as a measure to address housing affordability. Only seven states – largely because it is believed they don't work. In a poll conducted by the American Economic Association, 93% of its members agreed that a ceiling on rent controls reduces the quality and quantity of housing. David Hutniak, the CEO of Landlord B.C., in a...2023-12-0926 min

Conversations That MatterEp 474 - How Markets Shape Cities Guest: Alain BertaudEp 474 - How Markets Shape Cities Guest: Alain Bertaud By Stuart McNish What is a city and why does it exist? That may seem like a simple question but according to Alain Bertaud, the author of “Order Without Design: How Markets Shape Cities,” the answer is “not merely to house people but rather accommodate labour markets.” He goes on to acknowledge, “People are the most important part. They are the main attraction.” The challenge for city planners, argues Bertaud, is that “they run into the interdependence between state and markets...2023-12-0934 min

Conversations That MatterEp 473 - The Looming Great Relocation Guest: Laura AlfaroEp 473 - The Looming Great Relocation Guest: Laura Alfaro By Stuart McNish “Nearshoring, friendshoring and onshoring” are terms that are becoming common in reference to moves within the United States to address a number of issues associated with global value chains. According to co-author Laura Alfaro of a paper that was prepared for the Jackson Hole Symposium in 2023, there is a, “Looming Great Relocation” on the horizon. Alfaro says, “The evidence is clear – the US reliance on China peaked in 2017. The introduction of tariffs by President Trump, the continued...2023-12-0924 min

Conversations That MatterEp 472 - The Importance of Workplace Accessibility Guest: Joel DembeEp 472 - The Importance of Workplace Accessibility Guest: Joel Dembe By Stuart McNish “Accessibility” is a word that you hear more of, and for good reason. Canadian Paralympian Joel Dembe says, “Being accessible is essential when creating a strong and inclusive workplace and society. And it's good business. It’s good business in so many ways – namely it’s good for the bottom line.” According to Jason Keck, the CEO and Co-Founder of Broker Buddha, “Diverse and inclusive companies are 35% more likely to surpass their competitors.” Joel Dembe adds, “Companies...2023-12-0924 min

Conversations That MatterEp 471 - The Great Remobilization Guest: Olaf GrothEp 471 - The Great Remobilization Guest: Olaf Groth By Stuart McNish “In August 2022, when central bankers from around the world gathered for their annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a consensus emerged that the current methods for managing business cycles are woefully insufficient for managing today’s current economic and societal crises.” says Olaf Groth, one of the authors of a new book, “The Great Remobilization.” “We have the energy crisis. We have the food crisis,” continues Groth. “We have the supply chain crisis and we have the war in Ukraine...2023-12-0925 min

Conversations That MatterEp 470 - The Reasonableness of Being Unreasonable Guest: Bob StamnesEp 470 - The Reasonableness of Being Unreasonable Guest: Bob Stamnes By Stuart McNish “The logic of being unreasonable sounds like an oxymoron,” says Bob Stamnes, one of Canada’s most creative ad Execs. “Unless, of course, you know exactly why you are being unreasonable.” According to the Oxford Dictionary, logic is “reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.” Stamnes says, “Unreasonable logic is when you stick to the facts and make sensible conclusions where others leap to emotionally safe decisions. Reasonable people will always come up with reason...2023-12-0924 min

Conversations That MatterEp 469 - Boosting scientific innovations in British ColumbiaEp 469 - Boosting scientific innovations in British Columbia Guest: Brenda Bailey By Stuart McNish In April of 2023, the government of British Columbia announced a new life sciences and biomedical strategy. The objective is to position BC as a global hub in these sectors. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey says, “We’re boosting our world-class talent, innovators, entrepreneurs and anchor companies to create high-quality jobs.” The Minister’s claim about world-class talent is backed up by the fact that almost every COVID-19 vaccine candidate that reach...2023-10-1625 min

Conversations That MatterEp 468 - The electric helicopter revolutionEp 468 - The electric helicopter revolution Guest: Danny Sitnam By Stuart McNish Can we achieve liftoff of electric helicopter passenger service? Danny Sitnam, the President and Founder of Helijet says, "Yes we can! But…" The “but…” Sitnam refers to is, in fact, many “yes, but”s. Yes, helicopters can be powered by electricity – but the power plant for helicopters still needs to be built. Yes, batteries can carry enough of a charge to fly from Vancouver to Victoria – but the weight will eliminate a number of seats. Yes “we can” – but...2023-10-1623 min

Conversations That MatterEp 473 - The Looming Great RelocationEp 473 - The Looming Great Relocation Guest: Laura Alfaro By Stuart McNish “Nearshoring, friendshoring and onshoring” are terms that are becoming common in reference to moves within the United States to address a number of issues associated with global value chains. According to co-author Laura Alfaro of a paper that was prepared for the Jackson Hole Symposium in 2023, there is a, “Looming Great Relocation” on the horizon. Alfaro says, “The evidence is clear – the US reliance on China peaked in 2017. The introduction of tariffs by President Trump, the continued...2023-10-1624 min

Conversations That MatterEp 472 - The Importance of Workplace AccessibilityEp 472 - The Importance of Workplace Accessibility Guest: Joel Dembe By Stuart McNish “Accessibility” is a word that you hear more of, and for good reason. Canadian Paralympian Joel Dembe says, “Being accessible is essential when creating a strong and inclusive workplace and society. And it's good business. It’s good business in so many ways – namely it’s good for the bottom line.” According to Jason Keck, the CEO and Co-Founder of Broker Buddha, “Diverse and inclusive companies are 35% more likely to surpass their competitors.” Joel Dembe adds, “Companies...2023-10-1624 min

Conversations That MatterEp 471 - The Great RemobilizationEp 471 - The Great Remobilization Guest: Olaf Groth By Stuart McNish “In August 2022, when central bankers from around the world gathered for their annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a consensus emerged that the current methods for managing business cycles are woefully insufficient for managing today’s current economic and societal crises.” says Olaf Groth, one of the authors of a new book, “The Great Remobilization.” “We have the energy crisis. We have the food crisis,” continues Groth. “We have the supply chain crisis and we have the war in Ukraine...2023-10-1625 min

Conversations That MatterEp 470 - The Reasonableness of Being UnreasonableEp 470 - The Reasonableness of Being Unreasonable Guest: Bob Stamnes By Stuart McNish “The logic of being unreasonable sounds like an oxymoron,” says Bob Stamnes, one of Canada’s most creative ad Execs. “Unless, of course, you know exactly why you are being unreasonable.” According to the Oxford Dictionary, logic is “reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.” Stamnes says, “Unreasonable logic is when you stick to the facts and make sensible conclusions where others leap to emotionally safe decisions. Reasonable people will always come up with reason...2023-10-1624 min

Conversations That MatterEp 467 - Is Canada Sinking?Ep 467 - Is Canada Sinking? Guest: Chris Gardner By Stuart McNish “We’re in trouble!” says Chris Gardner. “Big trouble and it's going to get worse, much worse.” The President of the Independent Contractors of British Columbia says, “The Prime Minister and Minister of Finance work in a building 4,427 kilometres from Surrey.” He says, “They’re even further away than that from understanding the challenges facing construction contractors, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and everyday Canadians.” Gardner makes four compelling arguments: “First - health care is a disaster. Second – our rail, port...2023-10-1628 min

Conversations That MatterEp 466 - Ozempic and Weight LossEp 466 - Ozempic and Weight Loss Guest: Dr Devyn Parsons By Stuart McNish It has been called a wonder drug for its unintended benefits to anyone wrestling with obesity. Ozempic does for obese people what their bodies can no longer do – shedding weight. Dr. Devyn Parsons, an obesity specialist, says, “Your body locks onto what it believes is your ideal weight – that, being the highest weight of your life. And it doesn’t want to let go.” According to a study published by the American Journal of Public Healt...2023-10-1524 min

Conversations That MatterEp 465 - Seeing Street Kids’ PotentialEp 465 - Seeing Street Kids’ Potential Guest: Krista Thompson By Stuart McNish “The reasons why children end up on the streets are complex. Often, their arrival represents an active decision on their part in response to serious rights violations at home,” says Moses Ogutu in “Under The Bridge: The Invisible Lives of Street Children.” Ogutu was a child of the street for five years. Today, he is an international business and trade lecturer at the African Leadership University and a 2017 Mandela Rhodes Scholar. Ogutu’s life journey is proof that...2023-10-1529 min

Conversations That MatterEp 464 - Addressing Renewable Energy’s Weak Link Guest: Matt HarperEp 464 - Addressing Renewable Energy’s Weak Link Guest: Matt Harper By Stuart McNish Will vanadium redox flow batteries address an issue that has been the Achilles’ heel of renewable energy production – how to store the power generated by wind and solar power generation? The sector has challenges, such as the inability of renewable energy sources to produce consistent on-demand power needed to supply an ever-fluctuating need. Matt Harper of Vancouver-based Invinity Energy Systems, a leader in battery storage systems says, “Yes. And in doing so, we will be fil...2023-08-3022 min

Conversations That MatterEp 463 - Working Towards Ending Genocide Guest: Dr James SmithEp 463 - Working Towards Ending Genocide Guest: Dr James Smith By Stuart McNish “More than 60% of the population of Rwanda was born after the genocide in 1994. They feel its effects, but have little knowledge of what caused it to happen,” says Dr. James Smith of Aegis Trust. The ravages of genocide tear familes, communities and societies apart. Smith adds, “It takes decades of reconciliation, peace-building and support to repair the damage done, and constant vigilance to ensure it does not happen again.” Central to ensuring it doesn’t happen ag...2023-08-3026 min

Conversations That MatterEp 461 - Life in Canada after fleeing Syria Guest: Nour SulimanEp 461 - Life in Canada after fleeing Syria Guest: Nour Suliman By Stuart McNish It’s been eight years since 25,000 Syrian refugees were resettled in Canada. Our country, in keeping with our commitment to the United Nations Commission for Refugees, is “obliged to protect refugees and treat them according to international standards.” Nour Suliman and her family fled to Canada after dodging bullets, landmines and barrel bombs in Syria. Nour and her family were some of the 13 million Syrians forced from their homes. Some moved within their country...2023-08-3023 min

Conversations That MatterEp 462 - How to reduce adverse drug reactions Guest: Amani SainiEp 462 - How to reduce adverse drug reactions Guest: Amani Saini By Stuart McNish According to the Food and Drug Administration in the United States, “there are more than 2.2 million serious adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients, causing over 106,000 deaths annually.” The British Pharmacological Society in a “Fatal Adverse Drug Reaction” global study says, “Adverse drug reactions are the most common cause of hospital admission and one of the top seven causes of death.” In Canada, Amani Saini’s sister had a critical adverse drug reaction to an...2023-08-3028 min

Conversations That MatterEp 466 - Ozempic and Weight Loss Guest: Dr Devyn ParsonsEp 466 - Ozempic and Weight Loss Guest: Dr Devyn Parsons By Stuart McNish It has been called a wonder drug for its unintended benefits to anyone wrestling with obesity. Ozempic does for obese people what their bodies can no longer do – shedding weight. Dr. Devyn Parsons, an obesity specialist, says, “Your body locks onto what it believes is your ideal weight – that, being the highest weight of your life. And it doesn’t want to let go.” According to a study published by the American Journal of Public Healt...2023-08-2524 min

Conversations That MatterEp 465 - Seeing Street Kids’ Potential Guest: Krista ThompsonEp 465 - Seeing Street Kids’ Potential Guest: Krista Thompson By Stuart McNish “The reasons why children end up on the streets are complex. Often, their arrival represents an active decision on their part in response to serious rights violations at home,” says Moses Ogutu in “Under The Bridge: The Invisible Lives of Street Children.” Ogutu was a child of the street for five years. Today, he is an international business and trade lecturer at the African Leadership University and a 2017 Mandela Rhodes Scholar. Ogutu’s life journey is proof that...2023-08-2529 min

Conversations That MatterEp 460 - Creating Sustainable Pet Food Guest: Christine MallierEp 460 - Creating Sustainable Pet Food Guest: Christine Mallier By Stuart McNish Cats and dogs are everywhere in Canada and they outnumber children under 14 by a big margin. According to the Canadian Animal Health Institute, there are 16.5 million cats and dogs in Canada. Statistics Canada, for 2021, puts the child population at 15.6% or 6.2 million. In other words, we love our pets. There are myriad reasons why people love pets. One is they never grow up and move away. According to Mindpath Health, “Pets need you now, next week and...2023-07-1423 min

Conversations That MatterEp 459- British Columbia’s economy is a question mark Guest: Jock FinlaysonEp 459- British Columbia’s economy is a question mark Guest: Jock Finlayson By Stuart McNish British Columbia is but a speck on the global GDP map. “We are 0.3% – in other words, not very significant,” says economist Jock Finlayson. He goes on to point out that our place in the world isn’t about to change. In fact, it’s going to slip. “We are entering a lost decade of real per-capita GDP growth, which means growing real salaries will be challenging.” It’s not all doom and gloom, however...2023-07-0725 min

Conversations That MatterEp 458 - Vaccinating against rejection Guest: Dr Eli JosephEp 458 - Vaccinating against rejection Guest: Dr Eli Joseph By Stuart McNish It is common to be intimidated by rejection. The thought of failing or getting turned down for an opportunity that we have always wanted can influence the way we make genuine decisions toward our goals. Moreover, the overall experience of getting rejected can negatively affect our self-esteem. Dr Eli Joseph says, “You can get over this fear of rejection! In fact, you can become immune to it.” Based on his own experience of thousands upon thousands of rej...2023-07-0723 min

Conversations That MatterEp 457 - Can Fish be Farmed on Land? Guest: Tony PantagesEp 457 - Can Fish be Farmed on Land? Guest: Tony Pantages By Stuart McNish In February 2023, federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray announced that licenses for 15 open-net Atlantic salmon farms around British Columbia's Discovery Island will not be renewed – a planned cancellation that has now been delayed in large part due to concerns raised by indigenous leaders, who point to problems associated with moving fish farms on shore. Norway has generated a depth of knowledge and experience in the field of land-based salmon farming in state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture syst...2023-07-0724 min

Conversations That MatterEp 456 - A Lost Decade Ahead for Canada Guest: David WilliamsEp 456 - A Lost Decade Ahead for Canada Guest: David Williams By Stuart McNish “The Canadian economy is on track to be the worst performing economy out of 38 advanced countries over the next 40 years, with the lowest growth in real GDP per capita,” says David Williams, the Vice-President of Policy at the Business Council of British Columbia. He goes on to say, “Young Canadians entering the workforce today are facing 40 years of stagnant average real incomes, according to OECD projections.” That is a dire warning to policymakers in Canada...2023-07-0723 min

Conversations That MatterEp 455 - Women on Corporate Boards Guest: Jennifer ReynoldsEp 455 - Women on Corporate Boards Guest: Jennifer Reynolds By Stuart McNish Here, it is 2023 and according to Forbes Magazine, only ten percent of Fortune 500 companies are led by women. The magazine, however, sees that ten percent as “a new milestone. While these numbers may not seem like a cause for celebration, they are when one considers the history of women achieving top leadership roles in business.” The history of women at the top of Fortune 500 companies has included just two CEOs for decades. Forbes points out that “as...2023-07-0723 min

Conversations That MatterEp 454 - The Power of Giving Guest: John BromleyEp 454 - The Power of Giving Guest: John Bromley By Stuart McNish In the book “Why Good Things Happen to Good People,” Stephen Post writes that “giving to others” has been shown to increase health benefits. A separate study by Michael Norton from Harvard Business School revealed that “people are happier when they spend money on others versus themselves.” These are all wonderful reasons to give. As Martin McNish stated in “Give a Damn” (a Conversations That Matter episode), “giving proves that you can make a difference in the lives of other...2023-06-0429 min

Conversations That MatterEp 453 - Top Sixty Over 60 Guest: Helen Hirsh SpenceEp 453 - Top Sixty Over 60 Guest: Helen Hirsh Spence By Stuart McNish “‘Sorry, you’re too old. Sorry, you’re too experienced. Sorry. Sorry, but we’re looking for someone younger who will stay with us longer.’ These are just some of the reasons employers use to overlook talented over 60 applicants,” says Helen Hirsh Spence of Top Sixty Over Sixty. The mission, according to the organization’s website, is to “provide tools and training to address ageism and promote age diversity in the workplace.” Organizations that turn their back on workers...2023-06-0423 min

Conversations That MatterEp 452 - Wrestling with Democracy Guest: Dennis PilonEp 452 - Wrestling with Democracy Guest: Dennis Pilon By Stuart McNish Justin Trudeau had promised that the 2015 federal election would be the last time a government would be chosen in Canada using the first-past-the-post voting system. That promise promptly evaporated and morphed into support for a proportional representation voting system. In the following months, the Prime Minister directed the Minister of Democratic Institutions to drop the idea. In 2021, the Liberals set a record for the lowest vote share of a party that would go on to form go...2023-05-1823 min

Conversations That MatterEp 451 - Cathedral Thinking Guest: Rick AntonsonEp 451 - Cathedral Thinking Guest: Rick Antonson By Stuart McNish Groucho Marx once quipped, “Why should I care about future generations? What have they ever done for me?” According to Rick Antonson, “You have a responsibility to your children’s great grandchildren.” In fact, Antonson says, “You need to wrench yourself from your phone and become a cathedral thinker about the big issues of our times.” The concept crosses many cultures. Chief Oren Lyons, of the Onondaga Nation, a member of the Iroquois Confederacy, says, “Looking ahead is one of the first...2023-05-1824 min

Conversations That MatterEp 450 - Fighting Cancer with CAR-T Cells Guest: Sarah RothMay 5, 2023 Ep 450 - Fighting Cancer with CAR-T Cells Guest: Sarah Roth By Stuart McNish Cancer – there are more than 200 different types. The odds are high that you or someone you know will get cancer. It is an insidious disease; it can start almost anywhere in your body and spread. Stopping its spread is the work of cancer researchers all over the world and experts in British Columbia are developing breakthroughs. Recently a multi-site Phase-I clinical trial, launched by BC Cancer and the Ottawa Hospital Research Inst...2023-05-0329 min

Conversations That MatterEp 449 - Eight Deaths a Day Guest: Troy CliffordEp 449 - Eight Deaths a Day Guest: Troy Clifford By Stuart McNish Eight people in British Columbia will die today from a drug overdose – eight people yesterday, eight the day before, eight the day before that, and so on. On March 22nd, BC’s Emergency Health Service responded to 205 overdose poisoning patients – “a new provincial record” says Troy Clifford, the Provincial President of the Ambulance Paramedics & Emergency Dispatchers of BC. He continues to say, “On April 2nd, BCEHS experienced the nineteenth consecutive day in a row where we attended to more than 100 over...2023-05-0123 min

Conversations That MatterEp 448 - Space – The Final Food Frontier Guest: Prof. Mike DixonEp 448 - Space – The Final Food Frontier Guest: Prof. Mike Dixon By Stuart McNish Captain James T. Kirk starts “Star Trek” by saying, “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore new worlds; to seek out new life and civilizations; to boldly go where no one has gone before!” Five years is a long time and packing five years of food would be impossible. While the writers of the series dealt with the production of food in a variety of w...2023-05-0126 min

Conversations That MatterEp 447 - One Girl Can Guest: Natasha QuestelEp 447 - One Girl Can Guest: Natasha Questel By Stuart McNish “Every girl should have the opportunity to rise to her full potential,” says Natasha Questel, the CEO of One Girl Can, a British Columbia-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable girls. Questel adds, “Girls with high-potential deserve a chance to rise above extreme poverty and gender inequality.” As citizens of the world, we have a responsibility to aid others in reaching their full potential. Questel says, “One Girl Can is dedicat...2023-05-0124 min

Conversations That MatterEp 446 - Can data help at-risk youth? Guest: Bill WarburtonEp 446 - Can data help at-risk youth? Guest: Bill Warburton By Stuart McNish Can “a scientific approach to addressing social issues using administrative data” improve outcomes in education, health, social services and crime? That is the hypothesis of a new paper published by four distinguished Canadian economists. The authors say there is a “relationship between measures of secondary educational attainment and indicators of poor outcome later in life. Poor outcomes are seen to primarily manifest among high school dropouts.” One of the authors of the paper, Bill Warburton...2023-05-0125 min

Conversations That MatterEp 445 - Purpose and how it works Guest: Jade SimmonsEp 445 - Purpose and how it works Guest: Jade Simmons By Stuart McNish The world as you knew it has been upended. First, by the pandemic; and now emerging from lockdown, what you thought was going to be a return to your old life isn’t happening – and it's not going to. Jade Simmons knows all too well that life does not unfold the way you hope it will. She says, “You have to know what you want and where to find it.” Simmons says, “Finding purpose in life isn’...2023-05-0125 min

Conversations That MatterEp 444 - Grey Zone Warfare Guest: Calvin ChrustieEp 444 - Grey Zone Warfare Guest: Calvin Chrustie By Stuart McNish According to “On Track,'' the magazine published by the CDA (Conference of Defence Associations) Institute, “hybrid warfare,” also known as grey zone conflict or unrestricted warfare, is a real and present danger. “On Track” states that “these are just three terms used to describe the same phenomenon – multi-faceted attacks against a country that have serious implications for its national security and defence institutions. They may include military elements, but may also be mounted using cyber tools, public and...2023-05-0123 min

Conversations That MatterEp 443 - Monitoring the Ocean in Real-Time Guest: Dr. Scott BeattyEp 443 - Monitoring the Ocean in Real-Time Guest: Dr. Scott Beatty By Stuart McNish The odds are good that you live on the coast. In Canada, according to Natural Resources Canada, 38.3 percent of us live within 20 kilometres of the coast. In the US, more than 52 percent live within miles of the coast. What happens on the waters that lap against our shores matters. According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, “we rely on our oceans for food, jobs, [and] clean air. Our social fabric is woven into the vast history of maritime and...2023-03-1523 min

Conversations That MatterEp 442 - What is Putin’s End Game? Guest: John StufflebeemEp 442 - What is Putin’s End Game? Guest: John Stufflebeem By Stuart McNish The one-year mark of the invasion of Ukraine has come and we’ve sailed past it with no end in sight. Vice Admiral (Ret) of the US Navy John Stufflebeem says, “Putin continues to ramp up pressure by withdrawing from the New START treaty, implying he's getting closer to going nuclear.” Stufflebeem says, “For as long as Putin remains in power, he will continue his ‘military operation’ of defending Russia and use it to work to exhaus...2023-03-1526 min

Conversations That MatterEp 441 - Our Digital Technology Supercluster Guest: Sue PaishEp 441 - Our Digital Technology Supercluster Guest: Sue Paish In space, a supercluster forms massive structures of galaxies called filaments or supercluster complexes. Here in British Columbia, the Canadian digital supercluster was designed to build networks of “big and small tech companies to develop, scale and unleash digital technology breakthroughs,” says Sue Paish, the CEO of the Digital Technology Supercluster. The initiative is a joint Canadian government and member collective that was designed to bring together business, academia, community and government agencies to work on and solve some of our big...2023-03-1524 min

Conversations That MatterEp 440 - Surviving the Tech Layoffs Guest: Brian PulliamEp 440 - Surviving the Tech Layoffs Guest: Brian Pulliam Tech layoffs have been making the headlines. The numbers are staggering, according to TrueUp’s tech layoff tracker. In 2022, through more than 1,400 rounds of layoffs, 220,000 people lost their jobs. And the layoffs continued through January this year, where another 107,000 people were let go. Then in February, the layoffs carried on, and another 35,000 people were shown the door. The emotional and financial impact is devastating, especially considering the unprecedented growth in the sector between 2008 and now. People hired in 2009 experienced “eleven years o...2023-03-1532 min

Conversations That MatterEp 439 - A Recipe for a Life Well-Lived Guest: Dr. Doug ClementEp 439 - A Recipe for a Life Well-Lived Guest: Dr. Doug Clement “May you live long and prosper” (“dif-tor-heh”) is an idiom from a Jewish term and is popularly attributed to Commander Spock of Star Trek. While that may be so, it is also an apt description of the life of Dr. Doug Clement. “The questions,” asks Clement, “is how do you do both? Live long and prosper?” The average life expectancy in British Columbia is just north of 82 years. “So living long isn’t the issue,” says Clement, “but living long isn’t a gu...2023-02-2127 min

Conversations That MatterEp 438 - Acupuncture Guest: Dr Linda RapsonEp 438 - Acupuncture Guest: Dr Linda Rapson Renowned acupuncturist Dr. Linda Rapson was the 2021 co-winner of the Dr. Rogers Prize for Excellence in Complementary & Alternative Medicine. The $250,000 prize is the largest of its kind and available only to work conducted in Canada. Dr. Rapson is an appropriate recipient. Throughout her career, she has battled the establishment. From the time she entered medical school in 1965 as one of only 13 women, she has broken down barriers and, as stated on the Dr. Rogers Prize website, “swam uphill developing unfailing courage and a thi...2023-02-2126 min

Conversations That MatterEp 437 - The Cold & Flu Rescue Kit Guest: Dr Samuel GutmanEp 437 - The Cold & Flu Rescue Kit Guest: Dr Samuel Gutman You feel a tickle in your throat; you notice your child snuffling; or your older parent is zapped of energy. You can’t help but wonder: COVID? Or what other respiratory disease is going to work inside your and your loved ones’ bodies? “We are all hyper-aware, just having endured three years of COVID”, says Dr. Samuel Gutman. “I was an ER doc who, for 3 decades, saw the look of fear on the faces of people who flooded emergency departments looking for answers.”2023-02-2129 min

Conversations That MatterEp 436 - Personalized Cancer Genomics Guest: Marco MarraEp 436 - Personalized Cancer Genomics Guest: Marco Marra Unlocking the genomic code of cancer – all types of cancer – is an ongoing research endeavour that, when completed, will be a great leap forward. POG is a BC Cancer, Genome BC and Terry Fox Research Institute program designed to offer personalized oncogenomic treatment to cancer patients. The program is a clinical research initiative that started in 2012. The aim is to decode the genome – the entire DNA and RNA inside the cell – of each patient’s cancer and provide that information in a way that can be a part...2023-02-2130 min

Conversations That MatterEp 435 - British Columbia’s Forestry Woes, Explained Guest: John BrinkEp 435 - British Columbia’s Forestry Woes, Explained Guest: John Brink In December 2021, Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer penned a startling piece about British Columbia’s forest industry. His headline read, “BC forest companies expanding at a rapid pace, but not at home.” That means BC-based forest companies were and continue to invest heavily in wood product production everywhere except the home province they come from. The flow of forestry capital out of BC is accelerating, including investments made by Canfor, which last year invested $420 million to acquire Alberta-based Millar Wes...2023-02-2128 min

Conversations That MatterEp 434 - The State of Salmon in British Columbia Guest: Jason HwangEp 434 - The State of Salmon in British Columbia Guest: Jason Hwang Salmon are one of the most magnificent species that you rarely get to see, especially when they go to sea. The migratory route from freshwater to the open expanse of the Gulf of Alaska and then back again is unparalleled. No other species travels these great distances without an overhead view – salmon travel to and from their spawning grounds, guided by some internal sonar that is remarkably precise. Jason Hwang says, “They swim thousands of kilometres and return...2023-02-2126 min

Conversations That MatterEp 433 - Unlocking the Magic of Probiotics Guest - Dr. Gregor ReidEp 433 - Unlocking the Magic of Probiotics Guest - Dr. Gregor Reid In 1983, Dr. Gregor Reid had a wild and crazy idea. He pondered, “Is lactobacilli bacteria good for your health?” It was an idea that was years ahead of its time. Back then, probiotics didn’t exist. No one thought of or considered the microbiome – in fact, the term microbiome didn’t exist. Dr. Reid faced ridicule: “Oh, I was called a whole host of names.” Dr. Reid looked over the horizon and around the corner of history, and foresaw the u...2023-02-2137 min

Conversations That MatterEp 432 - A Wicked Problem Guest: Douglas ToddDec 30, 2022 Ep 432 - A Wicked Problem Guest: Douglas Todd In his book, “White Angel,” John MacLachlan Gray describes the Vancouver of the 1920s as “a dirty, smelly, corrupt hellhole.” Anyone who passes through the Downtown Eastside of the city today might wonder if he was referring to 2020 – an unfortunate consideration because, in 2008, then-mayor Gregor Roberstson promised to end homelessness. When Robertson left office, the Vancouver Sun reported that “tent-city organizers said that they ‘savour Gregor’s resignation and the humiliating end of Vision Vancouver.” When he left office, there were 2...2023-02-2124 min

Conversations That MatterEp 431 - The Magic, Mystery and Power of Words Guest: Jonathan BerkowitzEp 431 - The Magic, Mystery and Power of Words Guest: Jonathan Berkowitz By Stuart McNish Words are magical things. Words, when spoken out loud in performance, can be and often are like music. When rhythm, timber, pitch and pace are spoken aloud, they are like notes of music. Words – whether spoken, read or thought – ignite a complex series of neural circuits that bring meaning to words. Words can be and are fun unto themselves. Pulling together a combination of words – like “cantankerous old curmudgeon” – oddly and in a contradictory...2023-02-1724 min

Conversations That MatterEp 430 - How we can Save Plastic Guest: Bob MastersonEp 430 - How we can Save Plastic Guest: Bob Masterson Plastics are ubiquitous. You can’t go anywhere without them. Your kitchen, for example, is filled with them and most likely you don’t realize how much a part of your life they are. Turn on a light switch – the switch, the face plate, the coating around the wires are all made from plastic. Turn on the tap and drain the sink, and it is plastic that delivers the water and takes it away. Not to mention, all of the wraps on foods that are...2023-02-1723 min

Conversations That MatterEp 429 - Sounding the Ambulance Alarm Guest: Troy CliffordEp 429 - Sounding the Ambulance Alarm Guest: Troy Clifford By Stuart McNish Imagine that a loved one in your family has fallen and hurt themselves. They can’t move. You call 9-1-1 and ask for an ambulance to be sent to your home – at least, that’s what you thought was the best way to care for your cherished family member. “Now, you can’t help but wonder if an ambulance will arrive,” says Troy Clifford, the Provincial President of the Ambulance Paramedics and Dispatchers of British Columbia union. Fr...2023-02-1723 min

Conversations That MatterEp 428 - HIV/AIDS is still a Pandemic Guest: Dr Julio MontanerEp 428 - HIV/AIDS is still a Pandemic Guest: Dr Julio Montaner By Stuart McNish In 1996, Julio Montaner hosted the Vancouver International AIDS Conference and, at the same time, shared the HAART antiretroviral treatment that he and a team of committed scientists were pioneering in Vancouver. Since then, he has pioneered the concept of Treatment as Prevention (TasP). Dr Montaner was the first person to advocate for the expansion of HAART coverage to curb the impact on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to decrease progression to AIDS and death. ...2023-02-1724 min

Conversations That MatterEp 427 - Working with Artificial Intelligence Guest: Thomas DavenportEp 427 - Working with Artificial Intelligence Guest: Thomas Davenport By Stuart McNish “The world does not lack for management ideas [sic]. Thousands of researchers, practitioners, and other experts produce tens of thousands of articles, books, papers, posts, and podcasts each year. But only a scant few promise to truly move the needle on practice, and fewer still date to reach into the future of what management will become. It is this rare breed of idea – meaningful to practice, grounded in evidence, and built for the future – that we seek to present,” says Robe...2023-02-1726 min

Conversations That MatterEp 426 - Can Farming Survive Gov Policy? Guest: Kritjan HebertEp 426 - Can Farming Survive Gov Policy? Guest: Kritjan Hebert By Stuart McNish Farming is a risky business and it’s even riskier when bad government policies undermine good farming and agricultural practices. Kristjan Hebert says, “I can deal with a bad year, a bad crop, and even Mother Nature, but I can’t insure against bad policy.” He is speaking to the federal government’s plan to cut back on the amount of nitrogen Canada emits by use of fertilizers. That plan would see a 30% reduction in emissions...2023-02-1731 min

Conversations That MatterEp 425 - Is Breast Cancer Research Flawed? Guest: Paula GordonEp 425 - Is Breast Cancer Research Flawed? Guest: Paula Gordon By Stuart McNish If you are a woman in your 40s, don’t worry about a mammogram. At least that’s what Canadian research has been saying since the 1980s. Dr. Paula Gordon, a renowned radiology researcher and clinical professor at the University of British Columbia, says, “The research is wrong!” In a commentary paper that was published in the Journal of Medical Screening, Gordon and colleagues point out the Canadian National Breast Screening Study classified women incorrectly. Gordon s...2023-02-1725 min

Conversations That MatterEp 424 - YVR - Gateway Airport Guest: Tamara VroomanEp 424 - YVR - Gateway Airport Guest: Tamara Vrooman By Stuart McNish Anyone who passes through Vancouver’s YVR airport recognizes that the facility – like the city, the region and the province it services – is beautiful. So many other airports around the world are utilitarian structures designed to move people with no regard for the aesthetics that make people feel as if they are in a special place. Tamara Vrooman, the CEO of YVR agrees: “It’s spectacular!” YVR is not only beautiful – it's functional as well. Tourism and cargo...2023-02-1724 min

Conversations That MatterEp 423 - Canada’s Gateway Port Guest: Duncan WilsonEp 423 - Canada’s Gateway Port Guest: Duncan Wilson By Stuart McNish Dock workers, truck drivers, forklift operators, tug boat deck hands, ships pilots, and crane operators rarely make the news. In fact, the only time we hear about them is when, in rare cases, something stops working the way it does 99.9% of the time. Duncan Wilson, the VP of Environment and External Affairs at the Port of Vancouver says, “These are the people whose work makes our lives work. They are the lifeblood of the country, the pr...2023-02-171h 09

HR Inside OutGuest Stuart McNish - A Career in Broadcasting and Conversations That MatterStuart McNish, a veteran Canadian journalist, is the host of the weekly news series Conversations That Matter, where he interviews thought leaders from around the globe to dig into the issues that matter to Canadians. He is also the President of Oh Boy Productions, a company he built, in his words, from a laptop and cellphone. Stuart is a natural in this environment. With his start as a reporter with BCTV and training from the British Columbia Institute of Technology in Broadcast Journalism, Stuart quickly found his niche and has never looked back. Stuart shares his journey...2021-10-0458 min